I Stayed At Chelsea Because Conte Left, Willian Finally Reveals

The reason why one of the most touted transfers of the summer window didn’t happen has now been revealed by the man at the center of it all, Willian.

The Brazilian star was expected to leave Chelsea this summer, but the Brazilian opted to stay to the dismay of his suitors which included Manchester United and Barcelona. Willian has now revealed why he chose to stay with the Blues.

He revealed that his staying at Chelsea is largely due to the exit of former manager, Antonio Conte.

Willian admits that he would have left the club this summer had the Italian gaffer stayed on as manager.

I Stayed At Chelsea Because Conte Left, Willian Finally Reveals

The Brazilian endured a difficult relationship with the Italian during their two years working together at Stamford Bridge.

The 30-year-old looked set to be on his way out this summer with Barcelona, Real Madrid and Manchester United all monitoring his situation.

But Willian has remained, and looks set to be a key figure for new manager Maurizio Sarri as he started Chelsea’s season opener on Saturday, a 3 – 0 win away at Huddersfield.

He admitted after the game that he would be elsewhere by now had Conte remained in Chelsea’s technical area: “Would I be here if Conte stayed? No chance. No.

“I’m here. I’m here because I want to play for Chelsea. I will only leave if Chelsea want me to go.”

Willian’s relationship with Conte deteriorated throughout his troubled second season in charge, with the Brazilian photoshopping the Italian out of an Instagram post celebrating the club’s FA Cup triumph in May.

But he is now enjoying working under new boss Sarri and implementing his style of play, even in these early stages of the new campaign.

Asked if he was having fun he replied: “I think so. We have a lot of players with quality up front, players like Eden Hazard and Pedro. Players like that want to play football.

“That’s why Sarri talked about ‘fun’ football because he wants to build from the back. This is what we will try to do this season.

“This is what we do in Brazil and are trying to do here, playing with skill and movement and the manager told us to do that.”

Chelsea return to action on Saturday when they host London rivals Arsenal in the late kick-off.